Chamaecyparis &#39;RIKACPMC&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Chamaecyparis  cultivar named ‘RIKACPMC’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive upright and semi-pyramidal plant form, lime yellow foliage maintained throughout Winter. The new cultivar is a  Chamaecyparis,  suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Chamaecyparis pisifera.

Variety denomination: ‘RIKACPMC’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery by the inventor, RikaBronsther. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘RIKACPMC’, wasselected as a naturally occurring branch mutation from an unnamed,unpatented Chamaecyparis pisifera. The novel variety was discovered in agarden in Hemstread, N.Y. during 2005.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, first propagation of ‘RIKACPMC’ occurred by semi-hardwoodcuttings at a commercial nursery in Grand Haven, Mich. April 2005. Theinventor continued controlled testing and propagation, assessingstability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Fivegenerations have been reproduced and have shown that the unique featuresof this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RIKACPMC’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘RIKACPMC’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘RIKACPMC’ as a new and distinct Chamaecyparis cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright and semi-pyramidal growth habit.    -   2. Bright lime yellow foliage.    -   3. Foliage color well maintained during the Winter.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘RIKACPMC’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theparent variety. Foliage of the new cultivar ‘RIKACPMC’ however, isdistinctively lime green, whereas the parent variety has medium greenfoliage.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

In addition to the seed parent, ‘RIKACPMC’ can be compared to thecommercial variety Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’, unpatented. Thevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however,plants of ‘RIKACPMC’ are taller and grow faster. Foliage of the newvariety maintains its lime-yellow hue throughout the year. Thecomparator has yellow new growth, turning more green in the Summer.Foliage of the new variety is planar, foliage of this comparator isthreadlike.

‘RIKACPMC’ can be compared to the commercial variety Chamaecyparispisifera ‘Kost Yellow’, unpatented. The varieties are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘RIKACPMC’ have asemi-pyramidal form, whereas this comparator has a weeping and moundingform. Plants of the new variety are taller than plants of ‘Kost Yellow’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plants of ‘RIKACPMC’ grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich. Plantsin FIG. 1 are approximately 5 years old, and exhibit the characteristicsemi-pyramidal growth.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plant of the new variety at approximately 2 yearsold in a 2 gallon container. The photographs were taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMNBDO’ plants grown in a poly greenhouseduring Summer, in Grand Haven, Mich. USA. The growing temperature rangedfrom 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and from 5° C. to 10° C. during thenight. General light conditions are natural sunlight. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘RIKACPMC’.-   Propagation:    -   -   Typical method.—Softwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate rooting.—120 days at approximately 10° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—180 days at            approximately 10° C. to 13° C.        -   Root description.—Fibrous, both fine and fleshy roots            present. Moderately well branched. Colored light brown, not            accurately measured with an R.H.S. chart.-   Plant:    -   -   Age of plant described.—Between 2 and 3 years.        -   Container size of plant described.—2 gallon.        -   Growth habit.—Upright, semi-pyramidal evergreen tree.            Slightly mounding in juvenility, upright with maturity.        -   Height.—Approximately 53 cm in a 2 gallon pot.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 39 cm in a 2 gallon pot.        -   Typical growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Pinching required.—Not necessary, but, commercially can be            trimmed when young to promote more branching.        -   Branching characteristics.—Lateral branching occurring from            base through top of plant.        -   Angle.—Occurring at angles of approximately 20 to 30° from            stem.        -   Quantity of lateral branches.—Typical range 15 to 22.        -   Length of lateral branches.—Average range 9 to 15 cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—5 mm.        -   Lateral branch shape in cross section.—Round.        -   Lateral branch strength.—Very strong.        -   Lateral branch color.—Grey-Brown 199C.        -   Lateral branch texture.—Rough with overlapping scales.        -   Internode length.—Average range between 1.0 to 1.5 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   General description.—Overlapping scales.        -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate Shape of blade: Scale-like.            Average Length: Approximately 2.25 to 2.5 mm. Average Width:            Approximately 2.5 mm. Apex: Apiculate. Base: Cuneate.            Attachment: Sessile Margin: Entire Texture of top surface:            Smooth, moderately glossy. Texture of bottom surface:            Smooth, moderately glossy. Leaf internode length:            Overlapping. Foliage Color: Upper Section of Branchlet:            Young foliage upper side: Yellow 8A Young foliage under            side: Yellow 8A, about 50% covered with overlay Yellow-Green            144A. Mid-Section of Branchlet: Young foliage upper side:            Yellow-Green 144A, with slight speckling Greyed-Green 197A.            Apex Yellow 8A. Young foliage under side: Yellow-Green 144A            with complete overlay 197A. Lower Section of Branchlet:            Mature foliage upper side: Yellow-Green 144A, with slight            speckling Greyed-Green 197A. Mature foliage under side:            Yellow-Green 144A with complete overlay 197A. Venation:            Linear, indistinguishable from leaf blade. Durability of            foliage to stresses: Flexible and resistant to breakage.            Fragrance: Very mild cedar scent.-   Flower: Flowering not observed.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Disease and pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility observed.        -   Drought tolerance.—No tolerance for drought.        -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA Zones 4 through 8

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chamaecyparisplant named ‘RIKACPMC’ as herein illustrated and described.